What time does Port Canaveral terminal open?

[Kimosabe]

We are sailing on the Fantasy this weekend and got an 11:00 boarding/check-in time. After our first DCL cruise on the Dream last year, with an afternoon check-in, this time we wanted to get on as soon as possible. Even without getting into our stateroom until later, we will have no problem finding things to do! I have seen mixed comments on various sites about how soon you can actually arrive and get bags checked, through security and into the terminal and "sitting on ready" when they start boarding the ship. Thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!

[erionm]

The time you selected is your Port Arrival time. Your boarding number will be based on that time.

[jcarwash]

Originally Posted by Kimosabe

We are sailing on the Fantasy this weekend and got an 11:00 boarding/check-in time. After our first DCL cruise on the Dream last year, with an afternoon check-in, this time we wanted to get on as soon as possible. Even without getting into our stateroom until later, we will have no problem finding things to do! I have seen mixed comments on various sites about how soon you can actually arrive and get bags checked, through security and into the terminal and "sitting on ready" when they start boarding the ship. Thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!

I think the terminal also officially opens at 11am. I am not current with how far in advance of 11am you should/can arrive, but I think you have the best port arrival time you can get for boarding purposes.

[STLEdge]

I think the terminal also officially opens at 11am. I am not current with how far in advance of 11am you should/can arrive, but I think you have the best port arrival time you can get for boarding purposes.

That's correct. That said, we arrived at about 10:45 for a cruise a few months ago and the terminal was already open. Your boarding group # is determined by your assigned time and the boat won't be ready to board until closer to 11:30 or noon anyway, so getting there early just increases the time you wait in the terminal. I'd just aim to get there at 11am and you'll be fine.

[Dave Dizney]

OK - we're less than a month away from our cruise, and I've filled out the online check-in. Where do find what time our check in will be? How do you set that?

[PrincessShmoo]

Originally Posted by Dave Dizney

OK - we're less than a month away from our cruise, and I've filled out the online check-in. Where do find what time our check in will be? How do you set that?

As part of the online checkin you should have selected a Port Arrival Time. Your PAT is tied to the boarding number you will receive when you check in at the port.

[kcashner]

We were on the first bus from MCO. When we arrived at about 10:25, they opened the terminal for us. As soon as the bus people were in, they started allowing the people who were waiting. Boarding started about 11:30 (earlier than we'd seen it before!)

Selecting a terminal arrival time is one step in the on line check in process--do back to your on line area and see whether you selected one or need to do it now. Your boarding card will be tied to your terminal arrival time. Regardless of when you arrive, you will still get the same boarding card.

[PrincessShmoo]

Originally Posted by kcashner

We were on the first bus from MCO. When we arrived at about 10:25, they opened the terminal for us. As soon as the bus people were in, they started allowing the people who were waiting. Boarding started about 11:30 (earlier than we'd seen it before!)

Selecting a terminal arrival time is one step in the on line check in process--do back to your on line area and see whether you selected one or need to do it now. Your boarding card will be tied to your terminal arrival time. Regardless of when you arrive, you will still get the same boarding card.

A little clarification, please? If I select a PAT of, say, 1:00 and my flight arrives at MCO at 8:00 am, so I am able to checkin early at the airport, right? Does my boarding number stay the same as my 1:00 PAT selection? Or do I get a lower boarding number because I'm using DCL transfers and getting to the port earlier?

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by PrincessShmoo

A little clarification, please? If I select a PAT of, say, 1:00 and my flight arrives at MCO at 8:00 am, so I am able to checkin early at the airport, right? Does my boarding number stay the same as my 1:00 PAT selection? Or do I get a lower boarding number because I'm using DCL transfers and getting to the port earlier?

If you are on DCL transportation and check in at MCO, you get the boarding number when you board the bus--they "throw away" the terminal arrival time and the assigned boarding card. If you are on the first bus, you will get a boarding number 3 or 4 (1 is concierge, 2 is platinum). After that, it is just a matter of when you checked in at MCO/which bus you are on. The first bus will depart about 9:20-9:30 and arrive at the terminal just before 10:30.

If you are using private transportation and show up at the terminal at 10:30...AND they let you in...you still get the boarding number that is tied to your 1:00 scheduled arrival time.

One side note--if you are on a "special" cruise, like a TA, you can expect the Dis-ers and the frequent cruisers to be out in force. I arrived at MCO at 9 am to check in for the TA and was on the (no kidding) 5th bus! It really didn't matter, but the numbers were amazing.

[Dave Dizney]

Originally Posted by PrincessShmoo

As part of the online checkin you should have selected a Port Arrival Time. Your PAT is tied to the boarding number you will receive when you check in at the port.

I've looked over my pre-arrival guide, and I can't find anything on it about PAT. Do you know where it might be printed so I can check to make sure it's been done?

[erionm]

Originally Posted by Dave Dizney

I've looked over my pre-arrival guide, and I can't find anything on it about PAT. Do you know where it might be printed so I can check to make sure it's been done?

It's one of the items you select during on-line check-in. It's during the same process where you enter your travel documents (passport or other) and enter how you are paying for stateroom charges.

[Kimosabe]

Thanks, all! Did not realize the boarding would not actually start at 11:00...so I might just turn over and go back to sleep! Made it as far as St. Augustine after leaving Charlotte, NC at 7:00 last night...a glutton for late night driving punishment, but it usually means a quieter car with DD8 and DD10! Looking forward to a great week on the Fantasy -

[Silverfox97]

Originally Posted by Kimosabe

Thanks, all! Did not realize the boarding would not actually start at 11:00...

Port arrival begins at 11; actual boarding of the ship is around 11:45-Noon.

We are on our way right now!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

[lodge]

it opens about a half hour to 1st boarding time, usually.